For even
having come to Macedonia
we (our flesh) had no relief
but we were troubled in every way.
– battles outside
– fears inside.
But the one who comforts the downhearted-
God
– he comforted us
by the arrival of Titus
and not only in his arrival
but also by the comfort
by which he was comforted by you all,
he told us of
your longing,
your sorrow,
your concern for me
so that I rejoiced even more.
O Lord, in whom is our hope,
remove far from us, we pray thee,
empty hopes and presumptuous confidence.
Make our hearts so right with thy most holy and loving heart,
that hoping in thee we may do good;
until that day when faith and hope
shall be abolished by sight and possession,
and love shall be all in all.
Christina Rossetti (1830-94)